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Guy Guide: Philippine Driving School Rates 2016

by Chris
31 comments

It is the 11th hour of the year 2016. And when we speak of the 11th hour, what we actually mean is that we are in the later part of the year where we are very close to switching calendars and are very eager to collect coffee stamps to get our 2017 planners.

However, before taking the big leap towards 2017, have you ever thought and pondered about how far you’ve gone in reaching your goals and achieving your resolutions for 2016?

Every new year, we make it a point that we learn something new. And you know what I’ve noticed as one of the most common new year’s resolutions of guys like you and me? Learning to drive.

Now if you feel you are lagging behind on your 2016 resolution to learn to take the wheels, then don’t worry because it’s not yet late. You have roughly a month to learn driving, perhaps through the Christmas break. And so with this thought, I’d like to help you by giving a rough guide on the current prices and offerings of three of the most popular driving schools in the country starting with…

 

Smart Driving School

Established in the year 2000 in España, Manila, Smart Driving School has grown from one branch to now over 50 branches.

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Their driving rates are divided into several schemes which are detailed as follows.

Manual Transmission

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours 20 hours
 Regular course (1 hr per day) Php 2,200  Php 3,100 Php 4,400 Php 6,600 Php 8,800
 Special course (2 hours per day)  Php 2,800 Php 3,900 Php 5,500 Php 8,250 Php 11,000

 

For manual transmission driving lessons, Smart Driving School offers sedans and Toyota Wigo or whichever is available.

 

Automatic Transmission

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours 20 hours
Mitsubishi Lancer / Toyota Altis / Toyota Vios / Honda City Php 5,000  Php 7,000 Php 10,000 Php 15,000 Php 20,000
Toyota Innova  Php 5,800 Php 8,100 Php 11,500 Php 17,000  

Php 22,500

 

Toyota Fortuner / Mitsubishi Montero  Php 6,800  Php 9,500  Php 13,500  Php 20,000  Php 26,500

 

Training Center (5hrs): P2,500

Inclusions:
• Free License Processing Assistance
• Free 7 hours seminar
• Can request for a copy of the Powerpoint Slides of the lectures

Lecture Contents:
• Pre-Driving Seminar (Introduction)
• Proper Handling (ex. Steering Wheel, etc.)
• Defensive Driving
• Traffic Rules and Regulation
• Preventive Maintenance

Other Information:
• Instructors – whoever is available; students can request for a specific instructor for P100/hr
• Payment – cash or credit card
• Driving Safety Handbook can be purchased for P300

 

A-1 Driving

Being a product of A1 Driving School myself, I’d say that they are one of the premier schools in the country which has a wide array of cars, full-scale driving facilities and very comprehensive lectures.

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Their pricing matrix is more granular as they have a variety of cars, services and facilities to choose from as outlined below.

Manual Transmission

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours 20 hours 30 hours
Sedan (Vios, Altis, Mazda 3) Php 3,400  Php 4,700 Php 6,600 Php 9,800 Php 12,800  Php 18,700
AUV/MPV/Pick-Up (Mitsubishi Adventure, Innova, Hilux)  Php 5,800 Php 7,800 Php 11,000 Php 16,400 Php 21,700  Php 31,000

 

Automatic Transmission

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours 20 hours 30 hours
Sedan (Vios, Altis, Mazda 3) Php 6,100  Php 8,500 Php 12,000 Php 17,700 Php 23,300  Php 33,800
AUV/MPV/Pick-Up (Mitsubishi Adventure, Innova, Hilux)  Php 7,200 Php 9,900 Php 13,700 Php 20,400 Php 26,500  Php 38,800
Compact SUV (Honda CRV)  Php 8,000 Php 10,800 Php 15,200 Php 22,500 Php 29,200 Php 42,800
Midside SUV (Toyota Fortuner) Php 8,200 Php 11,200 Php 15,600 Php 23,200 Php 30,200 Php 44,300

 

Training Center (5hrs):

Sedan AUV/MPV/Pick-up Compact SUV Midsize SUV
Manual Php 2,500  Php 4,400
Automatic  Php 3,500 Php 5,400 Php 6,000 Php 6,200

Inclusions:
• Free Lectures
• Long-Distance Driving

Licensing Assistance:
Student Permit – P700
Non-Professional – P1,800

Lecture Contents:
• Classroom Orientation
• Proper Handling
• Road Safety Lecture

Other Information:
• Instructors – whoever is available
• Payment – cash, check or credit card

 

Socialites Excellent Driving School

Socialites has been in existence since 1969 and out of the three driving schools featured in this blog post, they are the ones that has rates which are easy on the pocket as you will see below.

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Manual Transmission (1 hr per day)

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours
Hyundai Accent Php 2,500  Php 3,500 Php 5,000 Php 7,500

 

Automatic Transmission (1 hour per day)

5 hours 7 hours 10 hours 15 hours
Toyota Vios Php 3,500  Php 4,900 Php 7,000 Php 10,500

Inclusions:
• Free Lectures (even after your hours)

Lecture Contents:
• Driving Principles, Hanging, Backing, Maneuvering
• LTO Code, Parking, Traffic Rules and Regulations
• Ignition and Breaking System
• LTO for Non-Prof, Porto Clinic, Driving in a Flooded Street
• LTO Exam for Prof, Tips in Buying a Car
• Car Servicing
• Defensive Driving

Other Information:
• Instructors – one trainer all throughout
• Payment – cash or check
• Additional P50 per hour should you want to extend your session

*    *    *    *

There you have it. Those are the 2016 rates of three of the most popular driving schools in the country. Note that price may change without prior notice so this serves only as a rough guide for guys out there who would like to learn how to drive before the year ends.

P.S. Wondering what I’m up to at the moment? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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31 comments

Ralph December 3, 2016 - 9:24 pm

nice post chris! very helpful!

Reply
Chris December 6, 2016 - 10:53 pm

Hi Ralph, you’re welcome. I’m glad you liked this story.

Reply
Andi December 17, 2016 - 12:42 am

I am really interested to learn driving but I don’t know which has the best service out there. Any recommendation? It’s hard to have a tutor that has no patience at all. LOL
http://www.wizardandi.com

Reply
Chris December 28, 2016 - 2:20 pm

Andi – try A1.

Reply
Ngan May 4, 2017 - 9:44 am

Hi,
Do you have the price for driving license test? Thank you!

Reply
Chester May 16, 2017 - 2:48 pm

Hello Chris,

I don’t have a car yet but I would like to have driving lessons.
Are there any available cars for them to lend during the session?

I would like to start with a small car.

Reply
Chris May 17, 2017 - 4:54 pm

Chester – yes, that is definitely the idea. They provide their own cars that you will use during the training.

Reply
April May 22, 2017 - 12:04 am

Hi. Just want to query does any of these drving schools offer more than an hour of lessons? Im an ofw and my days in Philippines are limited and would like to maximize my stay there. Thanks in advance.

Reply
Chris May 24, 2017 - 1:59 am

April – I think A1 offers at most 2 hours per day if I remember correctly.

Reply
Third June 3, 2017 - 1:53 am

Hi Chris,

Do you have any idea how long (hrs) would it usually take to finally learn driving automatic sedan?

Reply
Chris June 3, 2017 - 10:00 am

Third – for referesher courses (meaning you already had driving lessons before), 5 to 7 hours should be sufficient.

But if you are a beginner student, I strongly suggest 15 hours, no more no less. After the 15 hours, you should practice on your own car. 🙂

Reply
Jirvs July 4, 2017 - 11:53 am

From my perspective, Smart Driving School is cheaper than A-1 right? But what do you prefer for a refresher and need an assistance to get a license on a tight budget?

Reply
Jirvs July 4, 2017 - 11:55 am

And another question, don’t they have any email address or website to inquire to? Not just a telephone number.

Reply
Chris July 5, 2017 - 5:36 pm

Jirvs – Smart seems cheaper. I don’t have an experience with them yet, but if you would ask me, I’d pick A1.

Reply
Robert Ong July 6, 2017 - 4:22 am

Good morning. Is it still posible for a 66 years old senior citizen to learn how to drive a car(SUV automatic) ? I’m planning to enroll at A1 School as per advised by my son. Your comment/recommendation will be highly appreciated. Thank you and more power. God bless.

Reply
Chris July 6, 2017 - 11:14 am

Hi Robert, yes that is possible. I believe there is no age limit so go ahead. I also tried A1 and that is my personal favorite of all the driving schools listed.

Good luck and God bless too! Tell me how your driving lessons go. Have fun!

Reply
Aisel August 6, 2017 - 5:09 pm

Good afternoon! Base on the tables above, ate the payment for the training centers different from the 5 hour rate of driving manual trans.?

Reply
Aisel August 6, 2017 - 5:11 pm

Good afternoon! Base on the tables above, ate the payment for the training centers different from the 5 hour rate of driving manual trans.? Thank you

Reply
sapa travel blog August 25, 2017 - 5:37 pm

hi
Can i drive if i have vietnam driving licence ?

thank so much

Reply
Rey September 8, 2017 - 2:29 pm

Ano meaning ng Training Center na isa sa mga options dyan?

Reply
Irene Balana February 21, 2018 - 8:27 pm

thank you Chris for the information you provided.

Reply
Chris February 22, 2018 - 6:33 am

Irene – welcome! and thanks for dropping by the blog.

Reply
Chris February 22, 2018 - 6:36 am

Rey – sorry for the super late reply. Training Center is their facility where you can drive. Not an actual road with experienced drivers, but more of an exclusive zone where you can practice without actual cars until you gain enough confidence to drive the city traffic.

Reply
Courtney February 25, 2018 - 1:59 am

You may also try Prestige Driving school they also offer driving lesson at a very affordable price. They also hAve good reviews. I personnaly had my driving lesson there.

Reply
Chris February 25, 2018 - 11:33 pm

Courtney – thanks for the recommendation. Where are their locations and what are their prices?

Reply
Efleda Faith March 21, 2018 - 3:34 pm

Hi Chris, I have the best recommendation here in Tacloban Area, you may feature it anyways 🙂

Reply
Meme Diola April 22, 2018 - 11:42 pm

I like your Vlog 🙂 , Hope you have one for investments and insurances!

Reply
Brenda May 4, 2018 - 2:01 am

Which driving school did you go and finally learned how to drive..i wanted to go for the same school you enrolled before.thanks

Reply
Claudine May 7, 2018 - 12:49 pm

This is very helpful. Thanks!

Reply
Chris May 7, 2018 - 3:40 pm

Brenda – I went to A1. Try them. They are good!

Claudine – You’re welcome!

Reply
concern students May 19, 2018 - 7:34 am

please avoid APLUS driving school in españa, very incompetent instructors and mga hnd nag seminars mga instructors nila and nagtitipid sa gas kapag nagtuturo na, and mga tamad magturo
waste of money for APLUS driving school,
wla man lng idea ung instructor for defensive driving.. tae kayo sna makabangga kotse nyo

Reply

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